There’s a phenomenon in adolescent psychology known as the “hidden audience” which means that adolescents believe that everyone is watching them, but everyone is watching themselves

In turn- they spend way to much time caring what everyone thinks because they think they care

This carries on into adulthood, where people spend way too much time caring about what others think. What you drive, what you wear, how you wear your hair, where you live.

Mark 12:13 Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words. 14 When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? 15 Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?”

Christians are called to care about people, but not care what they think about us

We live different lives. Or at least we should live differently than the world does

You’re a Christian. How you live should be different. You should care how treat people, but in regards to your Christianity, you can’t let the thoughts of others drive your spiritual development and requirement of sharing the Gospel to those who need it.

Real questions- how will people perceive me when I rearrange my schedule, my time, my activities, my spending, my focus on my life. When you readjust- you lose relationships

There are 5 things that we do that the world doesn’t do. Worship, discipleship, fellowship, giving, and service. All selfless in the name of Christ. We must preach to the lost.

The Gospel is that Jesus Christ came into this world to save sinners.

We preach the truth and that offends! 2 cor 2:16 To the one we arethe aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?

They think we are bunch of fools!

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Sure, we don’t agree with many of the social things of today. But the greatest statement that we believe is that people who aren’t Christians are going to Hell and not going to heaven!

We’re supposed to care ABOUT people- but we’re not supposed to care what people THINK about us. I CARE about people. But I’m not going to worship the opinions of men. People don’t like a bunch of people who aren’t even Christians. They hate us. They hate what we stand for.

So what About Jesus? What kind of Guy was he? In this scripture they challenge who he is- was it a true statement?

Jesus didn’t care about no one

These guys say “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth.

Now- I realize that Mark records what these guys said about Jesus- but the truth is that they perceived Jesus a certain way- and the scripture records it

Some would argue- Jesus didn’t say it- so that means that its not true- but there’s a reason that Mark includes it. Why would he include a statement about Jesus that wasn’t true? Or at least that couldn’t be agreed upon based on what these people perceived.

These men perceived that Jesus didn’t care about anyones opinion and didn’t care about what people thought about him (Brian, captain of FB, Jam pants, fanny pack, sat with losers, verbal about his faith, never let anyone compromise)

Is that true? Did Jesus care what people thought of him? It was clear that he cared about people- He healed them. He took care of them. He loved them. He helped them.

But- he also- spoke things to them that some would have construed as ‘not that nice’

I don’t want you to think that Jesus was mean- because he wasn’t. but he was truthful

He spoke truth to people:

To some Jewish believers he said –

John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

He told people that their father was the devil! That’s not how you get invites to dinner!

He was telling them their true spiritual condition- they were serving the devil!

To the woman at the well-

John 4: 17 “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”

Very truthful with a woman on where she was at relationally and morally.

In this day and age, we try to pretend that things are the way that they are with people.

Jesus? Straight up to the point- This is where you are- sometimes you need to be like this

To the rich man who went away sad

Matt 29:16 -22 READ 22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

This Guy spent some time talking with Jesus- and the result was- get this- he went away sad

After spending time with Jesus, and having him talk to him, the guy was sad

Why? Jesus revealed the love of his heart and how it didn’t match up correctly!

He was more concerned with his spiritual condition than ANYTHING- Are you lying to people?

To one of his disciples he called him Satan

Matt 16:23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

How would that make you feel? Jesus calling you Satan?

He told some people they would go to hell- Don’t be the person that glosses over truth

Matt 25:41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels

Jesus didn’t mince words! He told people the TRUTH- everyone is NOT going to heaven!

And sometimes the truth HURTS. Sure, he said loving things, but honestly, you don’t have to convince people in this day and age that Jesus said loving things-

He rebuked a whole city and told them-

Matthew 11: 24 But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”

If you don’t know- the land of Sodom was destroyed by fire and brimstone. GOD HATES SIN

To peter he said he would be tortured if he didn’t forgive people Matt 18:21-35

I’m not trying to paint a bad picture of Jesus- I’m trying to paint an honest one

Sure- he said “for God so loved the world’ and “seek ye first the kingdom of God’ and “ take my yoke upon you because my yoke is easy and my burden is light”

But here’s the deal- People don’t usually get upset with you when you tell them stuff that they want to hear.

Here’s some strong statements Jesus made in regards to the opinions of men.

Luke 6:26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Luke 6:22 Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake.

Matthew 10:22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.

John 16:2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.

Jesus wasn’t afraid of what people thought of him and he prepared to do the same.

What does it mean to you?

Quit being so concerned with what people think about you in regards to your relationship with Christ.

Here’s what Paul said- Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

Let me give you an example. I don’t agree with Homosexuality. I don’t think its biblical and I don’t think that God makes provision for it in the Bible. I don’t spend my life arguing about it

Now- I don’t post on facebook every day what I think about this. Mostly because its such a hot issue and I don’t have time to argue every day about it.

But if you ask me about it- I’m not going to be silent about it. Some of you in this room had your stomach turn even when I say it- I realize people wont like me, but God likes me

1 Thessalonians 2:4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.

We’ve been entrusted with the GOSPEL. And honestly, its offensive enough-

But we CAN’T CARE so much about what people think.

Now listen- facebook courage isn’t courage if it doesn’t translate to how you live your life. Typing something is easy. Building a relationship is hard. Posting is easy. Showing up early to help is hard. Sending an email is easy. Buying a meal is hard.

But don’t say you’re courageous when its standing in front of you and you ignore it..

1 Corinthians 4:3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.

2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

The second part of it.

Jesus may have spoken some harsh stuff and didn’t stand for godlessness, but he was still invited to go and eat with sinners and publicans

He was respected by the people even though he spoke things they may have not wanted to hear. We need to be like Jesus- and that doesn’t mean being a JERK

Why? He operated in LOVE. He didn’t come from a position of satisfying his own ego. He wanted to please the father

Jesus loved people- he spoke truth- people followed him- but they didn’t always speak well

Matthew 10:25 It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!

They loved Jesus so much that they crucified him! But 2000 years later- he is still admired!

The goal of Jesus heart was to have people be converted- That should be your goal!

Your goal in speaking truth should never be to feel good about yourself or others feel bad

Ephesians 4:15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

What does it mean to you?

Proverbs 22:1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.

You can be truthful and loving and still have a good name.

How do you do that? 1.Don’t be the Christian whos name doesn’t match up with their actions

Many pastors have bad kids- why? Because who they are in the pulpit doesn’t match who they are in the kitchen. My kids see me through everything. What they see up here is what they see at home.

You can’t say you’re a Christian at church and then not be a Christian in the car on the way home. Don’t be a hypocrite.

Care about other people. Be costly. Give them your TIME

Romans 15:1-2 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.

People need people to listen to them. To hear their stories. Care about their pains.

When you give someone your time, you give them your heart. Love them with your EARS

Learn Be patient with those who aren’t where you are

1 Corinthians 9:22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

Some people just live in a emotional or intelligence wheelchair

When you are patient with people you are loving Them. Love them through their imperfections

Live a clean life. Don’t be a cussing, arguing, angry, frustrating person.

You can speak the truth of the Gospel and have people still view you well. They may not agree with you, but they will respect you.

1 Peter 2:12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Its easy to throw word darts. Its hard to love people through their sin and have them respect you enough to allow you in the room even though they don’t agree with you.

But here’s the truth- when people know you love them, they’ll disagree, but they’ll call YOU

Truth with out love is just being a bully. No one is impressed with the person who can quote a scripture they can’t live out themselves.

Don’t care about the opinions of men. Care about the opinion of God.

As Christians we are called to care about people but not Care what they think about our belief. #FVCLive